So much has been written, with such angst about losing a final and exiting from the other two cups, failing to score in recent games, the inadequacies of the reserves and much else besides in recent weeks that I hesitate before adding yet more words to an already over stoked fire. I shall try, however, to be a little reflective and bring some dispassionate objectivity to bear. Of course, expecting a fan to do that may be seen as akin to asking an alcoholic to arrange a pub crawl, but bear with me.

I am as frustrated as anyone at the exit from the CL; as for the FA Cup, of course we should have been Blackburn, but we didn’t; life goes on.

Yes we have had a massive run of injuries, with suspensions compounding the problem. We also pay the price for having some of the best players in the world, who suffer from the excess demands of unnecessary international friendlies. Leave aside Thierry playing so much for France – Gilberto and Toure have played most, if not all, of their countries' games, for 90 minutes each time; their legs will be feeling it, even if they are not suffering from the cumulative injuries affecting our captain.

Of course, Wenger has taken a risk with playing so many young players and yes they will make mistakes. However, look at the positives, and there are many, but I’ll just cite three:

1. Hoyte – last year he was learning to fight at Sunderland. This year, 20+ matches, several at left back where he has never let us down (you can cite the Man City penalty if you like, but our defeat there was because others did not score); how many other teams have a full back who can play both sides? Barcelona have Zambrotta of course. Could Clichy play on the right? No he couldn’t.

2. Denilson – actually do I need to say anything? Except think of this – could you imagine Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham or anyone of that ilk being plucked from their youth team at 18, flown to Brazil, put into the Corinthians squad, living alone in a country where he couldn’t speak the language and within 4-5 months becoming a key player? No, I can’t either

3. Diaby – after a horrendous, career-threatening injury, he has come back, been asked to play left-side midfield and looks awesome. Think of a player elsewhere in a comparable position. The great Steve G – could he do that? Fat Frank Chavski? Carrick? I’d like to see them play the wide left role. Actually, thinking of how the first two have done for England in that role, I don’t need any more nightmares.

Now for the players who seem to take a pasting, because they are deemed not to be good enough?

1. Senderos – well I guess you either love or hate him, but as a fifth choice centre back, he’ll do for me

2. Aliadiere – finally he has been given a chance – when has the boy ever played two or even three games on the trot with a consistent partner? The answer, I think you’ll find, is never. Maybe he should have scored against Villa, but Sorensen made one excellent save. I’ll grant you he should have scored with the header which went into the ground. But he is hardly alone at the club for not scoring with his head, so don’t single him out for that.

3. Baptista – let him have a run to the end of the season and make your judgement then – he won’t be first, second or third choice, but as an impact player or a starting player when we have horrendous injuries, he is fine

4. Walcott – sure he lacks strength, but his cameos and his goal in Cardiff shows he will be a star for many, many years to come

5. Flamini – again, as fifth choice midfield, plus the ability to fill in at full back, he is exactly the kind of player we need in the squad; he was exceptional last season.

6. Hleb – yes he should shoot more and yes he needs to tackle properly, but name me a better ball carrier and shielder, Ronaldo excepted?

7. Song – those who criticised him for his performance at Fulham should still be ashamed of themselves. Did he do anything worse than Vieira did when he gave the ball to Giggs all those years ago? No he didn’t. He was excellent in the Carling games and if Charlton stay up, it will be in large part down to him.

And then look beyond, especially at -1. Traore, 2. Merida, 3. Randall, 4. Bendtner, 5. Muamba, 6. Gilbert, 7. Connolly & 8. Vela

…all of whom will, I sincerely hope, have a real chance to show us what they can do – and I think they will do rather well.

With all this potential, plus the experience which is embedded in the squad, do we really want a complete overhaul? Do you really want Ljungberg, Gilberto, Baptista, and Senderos to go? They have Arsenal in their bones now, even Baptista I believe, and that will mean something next season. Even that nutcase Eboue has his plus points.

Yes we need a goalkeeper if Jens goes, but we don’t if he stays.

What else do we need? A tough guy upfront like Yakubu or a “poacher” like Andy Johnson? Another experienced centre back? Well, yes I would take Juan or Lucio, one of the Brazilian national team’s first choices. Name me someone else who we could get who is worth getting, and that means much, much, much better than anyone else we have now. A left winger? Probably – but I think that is on the cards, maybe Ribery, maybe Babel, maybe another Spaniard in a swap for Reyes. But what else do we need? And if we can’t get what Wenger has called super players, why waste the money?